I still remember the morning my son pushed his little chair up to the table, looked at me, and said “Can we do math now?” He was four and a half years old. I nearly fell off my own chair. He wanted to do school like his big sister.
After a lot of research we started All About Math Level 1 from All About Learning Press and it clicked for him in a way that surprised us both. There were no worksheets to dread, no pencil grip battles, no sitting still for longer than his attention could hold. Just hands-on learning, short lessons, and a whole lot of “can we do one more?”
We started this curriculum when he was four and a half, and we’re continuing it now that he’s five. Technically it’s positioned as a kindergarten and first grade level program, but it has been an absolutely perfect fit for where he is — curious, tactile, and not remotely interested in sitting down with a pencil. If you’re searching for an honest All About Math Level 1 review from someone who has actually used it with a young learner, I hope this helps you decide if it’s the right fit for your family.
Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. I only ever recommend resources we genuinely use and love in our own homeschool.
What Is All About Math? A Quick Overview
All About Learning Press is probably best known in the homeschool world for their reading and spelling programs — All About Reading and All About Spelling — which have a devoted following for good reason. (We use both and love them so much!) All About Math is their approach to mathematics, built on the same core philosophy: multisensory learning, mastery before moving on, and making the experience as low-stress as possible for both the child and the parent.
Level 1 is designed for kindergarten and first grade, but as I mentioned, we began it with my son at four and a half with great success. If your child is ready to start exploring numbers in a hands-on, playful way — regardless of whether they’re technically “school age” — this program is worth a serious look.
The program is built around the idea that young children learn math best by doing — touching, sorting, counting, building, and playing — long before they should be expected to record anything on paper. That philosophy alone made it stand out to me when I was researching options.
You can find All About Math Level 1 directly on the All About Learning Press website.
What’s Included in All About Math Level 1
One of the first things I noticed when the curriculum arrived was how thoughtfully put together it is. Here’s what you get:
- The Teacher’s Manual — a comprehensive, scripted guide that tells you exactly what to say and do in each lesson. It’s written in plain, friendly language and genuinely easy to follow even if math isn’t your strongest subject.
- The Activity Book — and this is an important distinction: it is not a workbook. There are no rows of problems to fill in, no worksheets, and very minimal writing required. Instead, it’s full of hands-on activities, games, and interactive exercises that reinforce each concept through doing.
- Manipulatives — physical pieces that kids can touch, sort, count, and arrange. These are the heart of the program for young learners and the thing my son reaches for first every single lesson.
- Flashcards — simple and well-made, used in specific ways throughout the lessons rather than just drilled in isolation.
- A Progress Chart to track lessons completed — a small thing that kids love more than you’d expect.
The materials feel sturdy and well-made. The color coding and visual design are clean without being overwhelming. Everything arrives organized and ready to use, which matters when you’re a busy homeschool parent trying to keep things simple.
How We Use All About Math Level 1 in Our Homeschool
Our lessons are short — usually somewhere between 15 and 20 minutes — which is exactly right for a five-year-old. We do math as part of our morning time, usually after our read-aloud and before any independent activities. By that point he’s been moving around and his brain is warm but not yet tired.
The teacher’s manual lays out each lesson clearly. I read through it the night before (which takes about five minutes) so I know what manipulatives to have ready and roughly where we’re headed. On most days, the prep is minimal — pull out the pieces, open the book, sit down together. That’s it.
A typical lesson might look like this: we start with a quick warm-up using the flashcards or a counting activity, move into the main concept with the manipulatives, and then do a short activity from the activity book to reinforce what we covered. Sometimes we play a game from the lesson. Sometimes we revisit something from a previous lesson if I noticed it hadn’t quite landed yet. The mastery-based approach means we don’t move on until he’s genuinely ready, and there’s never a sense of rushing.
One of the things I appreciate most is the flexibility. The lessons have a clear structure, but they’re not rigid. If he’s particularly engaged in the manipulative activity and wants to keep going, we keep going. If he’s a bit tired, I can wrap up early and pick up where we left off tomorrow. The curriculum supports the child rather than demanding the child fit the curriculum.
What My Son Loves About It
Honestly? The manipulatives. Every single time.
Before I even finish setting up, he’s reaching for the pieces, sorting them, lining them up, making patterns that have nothing to do with the lesson. That impulse — that pure tactile curiosity — is exactly what this curriculum meets. Rather than redirecting it, the program channels it. The manipulatives aren’t just props; they’re the actual vehicle for learning.
He also loves the activity book, which I think surprises some people when I describe it. Because there’s no pressure to write, he doesn’t approach it with any resistance. It’s just another extension of the hands-on work we’ve been doing.
The games scattered throughout the lessons are a particular highlight. They don’t feel like “educational games” in that self-conscious way — they just feel like games. And he asks to play them again.
Most tellingly: he asks to do math. Some mornings he reminds me before I’ve even had coffee. That, more than anything, tells me this curriculum is doing something right.
Pros and Cons of All About Math Level 1
What We Love
- No worksheets, no writing pressure. For young learners — especially boys, in my experience — this is a game-changer. The activity book is genuinely hands-on and the writing requirement is minimal.
- Short, manageable lessons. 15–20 minutes is exactly right for this age. We finish feeling satisfied rather than depleted.
- Easy for the parent to teach. The scripted teacher’s manual is clear and confidence-building. You don’t need to be a math person to deliver these lessons well.
- Mastery-based pacing. You move on when your child is ready — not when the calendar says so. This removes so much pressure for both parent and child.
- Builds genuine confidence. Because concepts are introduced gently and reinforced through play, kids experience success early and often. My son approaches math with enthusiasm rather than anxiety.
- The manipulatives are genuinely excellent. They’re not an afterthought — they’re central to how the program works, and children love them.
A Few Considerations
- The manipulatives need to be kept organized. There are a lot of small pieces, and if you’re not naturally a “a place for everything” type of parent, it helps to purchase the manipulative set from All About learning that includes a dedicated box. The manipulate box includes everything you need for all levels and keeps everything organized perfectly.
- The pace is intentionally slow. This is a feature, not a bug — but if you have a child who is already mathematically advanced and chomping at the bit to race ahead, the mastery-based approach may feel unhurried. For most young learners, it’s exactly the right speed.
- It requires your presence. This is not a curriculum you hand to your child and walk away from. Every lesson is taught together. For most homeschool families this is completely normal, but if you’re looking for something more independent, this isn’t that.
Who Is All About Math Level 1 Best For?
This curriculum is an excellent fit if:
- Your child is in pre-k, kindergarten, or early first grade and is just beginning to explore numbers formally
- Your child is a hands-on, tactile learner who does better touching and doing than watching and writing
- You want a low-pressure, play-based approach that builds genuine understanding rather than rote memorisation
- You’re a homeschool parent who wants clear, scripted lessons that are easy to pick up and teach — especially if math isn’t your strongest subject
- You value mastery over speed and want your child to feel genuinely confident before moving forward
It may not be the best fit if your child is already comfortable with basic math concepts and needs more challenge, or if you’re looking for a fully independent or digital program. But for the gentle, unhurried, hands-on introduction to math that most young children genuinely need? It’s hard to beat.
Cost & Where to Buy
All About Math Level 1 is available directly through the All About Learning Press website. I’d recommend checking their site for the most current pricing, as they occasionally run promotions and bundle deals.
The program includes everything you need — teacher’s manual, activity book, manipulatives, and flashcards — so there’s no hunting for separate materials or piecing things together. For a complete, open-and-go curriculum, the value is solid.
If you’re already using All About Reading or All About Spelling, the teaching approach will feel immediately familiar, which is a nice bonus. Many families use all three programs together for a cohesive, consistent homeschool experience.
→ You can find All About Math Level 1 here: [kindergarten math]
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is All About Math Level 1 designed for?
It’s designed for kindergarten and first grade, roughly ages 5–7. That said, we started it at four and a half with great success. If your child is developmentally ready and interested in numbers, age is less important than readiness.
Is All About Math aligned with Common Core?
All About Learning Press designs their programs based on strong math foundations and mastery principles rather than specifically around Common Core standards. Many homeschool families prefer this approach. If you’re required to follow specific standards in your state, it’s worth reviewing the scope and sequence on their website.
Does my child need to be able to write to use this program?
This is one of the things I love most about it — the answer is essentially no. The activity book is hands-on and the writing requirement is minimal. It’s genuinely designed for young learners whose fine motor skills and pencil stamina are still developing.
Can I use this with multiple children?
The teacher’s manual, manipulatives, and flashcards can all be used again with younger siblings. Technically, you need to buy a new activity book for each child, but I keep all the activity book pages using a 3-ring binder and sheet protector so it can be reused too.
Our Verdict
All About Math Level 1 has been one of the best curriculum decisions we’ve made for our homeschool. It meets my son exactly where he is — curious, wiggly, tactile, and not remotely interested in worksheets — and turns that energy into genuine mathematical understanding.
Watching him go from a child who had never done formal math to one who asks for his math lesson before I’ve had coffee has been one of those quiet homeschool victories that makes everything feel worthwhile. The lessons are short enough that we both stay engaged, the approach is gentle enough that there’s no resistance, and the concepts are solid enough that I feel confident in where we’re headed.
If you’re looking for a math curriculum for your young learner that prioritizes understanding over performance, play over pressure, and confidence over speed — I can’t recommend All About Math Level 1 highly enough.
You can find it here: All About Math Level 1 — and if you have any questions about how we use it, drop them in the comments below. I’m always happy to share more!
And if you want to see it in action, come find me on Instagram and TikTok — I share regular peeks at our homeschool days, including math time.